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| Emile Hirsch & Hailee Steinfeld (r) star in Ten Thousand Saints |
Peas in a Pod
Rotten Tomatoes Plot: Jude (Asa Butterfield) is a teenage boy who is trying to reconnect with his father Les (Ethan Hawke) in 1987 Manhattan. When Jude's friend, Teddy (Avan Jogia), dies of a drug overdose, Jude finds himself befriending a group of friends who are against drugs, alcohol, profanity and sex and live for punk-style rock music. When he meets Eliza (Hailee Steinfeld), who is sixteen years old and is pregnant with Teddy's child, he and Les are forced to be her rock as she struggles through her pregnancy and early motherhood, while Jude struggles with his feelings for her and his relationship with his father.
Once upon a time, teens actually took responsibility for their own actions. Hard to believe, but Ten Thousand Saints proves it's possible, even if it is just a movie. This is one of those rare films that manages to entertain, while holding nothing back. Its characters (young and old alike) are honest and sincere, yet (severely) flawed. After all, even "the road to Hell is paved with some fun." Hawke's a hoot, delivering an Oscar-worthy performance amidst a slew of solid turns; and despite a few unnecessary diversions (Alphabet City) Saints allows its audience to "see what tomorrow brings." Bravo.
Grade: B
